subject: A Ripe Juicy Tomato - An Incredibly Tasty and Healthy Treat [print this page] A Ripe Juicy Tomato - An Incredibly Tasty and Healthy Treat
There is nothing more satisfying than enjoying a fresh, ripe, juicy tomato at the peak of the growing season. Sure, you can purchase tomatoes year round in the grocery store, and some of them are tasty, but there is much to be said for growing your own tomatoes and enjoying the fruits of your labor right off the vine.
Not only do homegrown fruits and vegetables taste great, but by growing your own raw food, you can enjoy organic fruits and vegetables without the worry of hazardous chemicals and pesticides. Not only do fresh raw tomatoes taste good, they are good for you, too. Raw food such as fruits and vegetables boast of many health and beauty benefits. Here are a few things to feel good about when you enjoy eating delicious juicy raw tomatoes.
The Tomato / Cancer Connection
My friend has an amazing garden and grows some incredible tomatoes in the summer months. She often gives me tips and pointers for my own garden. She doesn't allow people to smoke in her garden because she says it will harm the tomato plants. There are mixed thoughts on this subject, but she stands her ground adamantly.
Well, guess what? Smoking might not be good for tomatoes, but tomatoes are good for smoking. They contain two acids that fight against the carcinogens created by cigarette smoke. The tomato doesn't stop there in its war against cancer. The lycopene pigment found in tomatoes contributes to fewer chances of prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and stomach cancer. Lycopene is somewhat of a miracle ingredient that scientists believe stops cancer cells from growing.
Tomatoes Even Make You Pretty
Tomatoes are high in vitamin A, which is a great benefit for many reasons. First, vitamin A improves vision and most notably helps with night blindness, but the mighty A does more than help your eyesight. The vitamin A in tomatoes also supports shiny hair, good bones, vibrant skin, and healthy teeth. Vitamin A combines with the vitamin C in tomatoes to provide a strong anti-oxidant defense against free radicals in the blood. Some of the beta-carotene produced by these two vitamins is lost in cooking because it destroys the vitamin C, which is why a raw tomato snack is a good choice.
Raw Tomatoes are Healthy for Your Heart
Tomatoes contain niacin, potassium, and vitamin B6. Eating tomatoes can reduce cholesterol levels, help with high blood pressure, and lower your risk for heart disease. While the traditional saying is that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, tomatoes should have their place in your healthy diet, too. By snacking on these delicious fruits often, you'll be doing something beneficial to your health, all while enjoying something so incredibly delicious as a fresh, ripe, juicy tomato.
Recipe - The Basil Drizzle Tomato Snack
Ingredients:
Medium sized fresh ripe tomato
Balsamic vinegar (any flavor)
Olive oil
Sea salt, fresh ground black pepper, fresh basil
Fresh chopped basil
Instructions:
Wash tomato and quarter; place on saucer.
Drizzle tomato quarters liberally with balsamic vinegar and olive oil and then garnish with the chopped basil. Season with salt and fresh ground pepper.
Enjoy!
B.S. Science in Physical Anthropology minor in business, and Culinary Arts Degree. Advocate for organic, vegetarian, vegan, and raw food diets. I have been a vegetarian/vegan/raw foodist for over 20 years. Have also worked in real estate
